Oct. 18, 2022
Las Vegas, NV – Last month, Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford was honored with the TRIO Achiever Award at the Council for Opportunity in Education’s national conference on Sept. 22. The TRIO Achiever Award honors the accomplishments after college of individuals who obtained a degree with the help of one of the federal TRIO programs for low-income, first-generation students. AG Ford, who grew up in Dallas, Texas, credits the Upward Bound program he attended with helping him gain entrance to, and graduate from, Texas A&M University.
“I would not be where I am today were it not for Upward Bound,” said AG Ford. “Upward Bound’s impact on me is manifested every day as I use the skills I learned in my educational journey to work to improve my life, the lives of my family members and the lives of those living in our great state.”
AG Ford went on to earn a total of five degrees, including a law degree and doctorate in educational administration, both from The Ohio State University, as well as two masters’ degrees. AG Ford has said that were it not for support from Upward Bound, he would not have applied to Texas A&M because he couldn’t afford the application fees. Upward Bound’s tutoring and leadership training helped him get a scholarship to college.
“We are delighted to recognize the accomplishments of Attorney General Ford and inspired to learn of the role Upward Bound played in his success,” said COE President Maureen Hoyler.
TRIO began with the Upward Bound program in 1964 as part of the War on Poverty to help low-income, first generation high school students in families where neither parent held a college degree. By the end of the 1960s, three signature TRIO programs – Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math and Science and Talent Search – were in place to help disadvantaged middle and high school students access and succeed in college. Today there are eight programs, still under the name TRIO, supporting American students from different backgrounds.
The Council for Opportunity in Education is a nonprofit organization, established in 1981, dedicated to furthering the expansion of college opportunities for low-income, first-generation students, veterans and students with disabilities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Palau, Guam and Puerto Rico. Its membership includes more than 1,000 colleges and agencies. Through its numerous membership services, the Council works in conjunction with colleges, universities, and agencies that host TRIO programs to help low-income students enter college and graduate specifically. Approximately 828,000 low-income students and students with disabilities are served each year.